Dartford bus crash: Fourteen people injured and bus driver arrested after 25 vehicle pile-up in Kent

Fiona Simpson30 May 2018

Fourteen people have been injured and a driver has been arrested after a bus ploughed into 25 vehicles in Kent.

The driver of the bus is being held by police on suspicion of careless driving.

Dramatic images showed a trail of the destruction following the smash close the town's train station.

Kent Police and fire crews rushed to Hythe Street to reports of a multi-vehicle crash just before 7pm.

Some 25 cars were damaged in the crash
Tony Brown

Officers said 25 cars were damaged and 14 walking wounded were treated for minor injuries at the scene.

The crash involved a 480 service to Swanscombe, Northfleet and Gravesend.

Horrified witnesses described scenes of panic and "total carnage".

Tony Brown, who saw the smash happen, told the Standard the bus appeared to “plough into cars” waiting at traffic lights on Hythe Road.

He said: “There was no visibly seriously injured people, but lots of people in shock and damaged cars.”

Gravesend, Meopham, Strood and Doddington were particularly badly hit with images showing cars submerged and rainwater as high as the windows of some homes.

Storms and flash floods hit London and the south east

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Meanwhile in Sittingbourne drivers said "every road is like a river" as traffic was brought to a standstill by the severe conditions.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Officers were called at 6.48pm on Tuesday 29 May to Hythe Street.

"The South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service are also at the scene.

"A total of 25 vehicles have been reported damaged. Fourteen people are reported to be walking wounded and are receiving treatment at the scene.

"A man has been arrested on suspicion of careless driving and remains in police custody."

Oliver Monahan, the area managing director for the bus operator Arriva Kent and Surrey, said: “Arriva can confirm that a bus has collided with a number of vehicles on Hythe Street in Dartford on Tuesday evening. There have been some reported injuries and at the moment our priority is supporting the emergency services. Our thoughts are very much with all those affected.”

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